Rameswaram–Okha Express

The 16733/16734 Rameswaram–Okha Express is an Express train belonging to Indian Railways – Madurai Division of the Southern Railway zone that runs between Rameswaram and Okha in India.

Rameswaram–Okha Express
16734 Okha–Rameswaram Express near Dwarka
Overview
Service typeExpress
First service9 November 2006 (2006-11-09)
Current operator(s)Southern Railways
Route
TerminiRameswaram (RMM)
Okha (OKHA)
Stops43 as 16733
45 as 16734
Distance travelled3,153 km (1,959 mi)
Average journey time58 hours 15 mins
Service frequencyWeekly
Train number(s)16733 / 16734
On-board services
Class(es)AC 1st, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, Sleeper class, General Unreserved
Seating arrangementsYes
Sleeping arrangementsYes
Catering facilitiesPantry car
On-board catering
Technical
Rolling stock2
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Operating speed51 km/h (32 mph), including halts
Route map

It operates as train number 16733 from Rameswaram to Okha and as train number 16734 in the reverse direction, serving the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

History

It is one of the very first train which is operated from Rameswaram immediately after Gauge Conversion of Manamadurai–Rameswaram line from Meter Gauge to Broad Gauge. This train is operated in such a long circuitous route because during its introduction, most of the railway lines in India are under gauge conversion from narrower gauges to broad gauge, so this train is operated using existing railway routes at that time. This train was originally introduced between Madurai and Manamad. Later this train was extended in both sides i.e. From Madurai it was extended until Rameswaram and from Manamad it was extended until Okha.[1] At initial days of operation, its maintenance is done at Madurai, after constructing a railway maintenance yard at Rameswaram, the maintenance of this train has been shifted from Madurai to Rameswaram. At present, It is the only train from southern part of Tamil Nadu such as Madurai, Rameswaram which are directly connected with the Manamad, Aurangabad areas of Maharashtra.

Coaches

The train has standard ICF rakes with a maximum speed of 110 km/h. The train consists of 22 coaches:[2]

  • 2 AC II Tier
  • 2 AC III Tier
  • 11 Sleeper coaches
  • 4 General Unreserved
  • 2 Seating cum Luggage Rake
  • 1 Pantry car

As is customary with most train services in India, coach composition may be amended at the discretion of Indian Railways depending on demand.

Service

16733/Rameswaram–Okha Express covers the distance of 3,153 km (1,959 mi) in 59 hours 50 mins (49 km/h)

16734/Okha–Rameswaram Express covers the distance of 3,153 km (1,959 mi) in 58 hours 35 mins (53 km/h).

Route

The 16733 / 34 Rameswaram–Okha Express runs from Rameswaram via Manamadurai Junction, Madurai Junction, Salem Junction, Jolarpettai Junction, Katpadi Junction, Tirupati, Yerraguntla Junction, Dhone Junction, Kacheguda, Nizamabad Junction, Hazur Sahib Nanded, Parbhani Junction, Manmad Junction, Jalgaon Junction, Surat, Vadodara Junction, Ahmedabad Junction, Viramgam Junction, Surendranagar Junction, Wankaner Junction, Rajkot Junction, Jamnagar, Dwarka to Okha.[3]

At present it is the only direct express train that runs from Rameswaram to nearby places of Mumbai such as Manmad and Surat.

Schedule
Train numberStation codeDeparture stationDeparture timeDeparture dayArrival stationArrival timeArrival day
16733RMMRameswaram22:30 PMFridayOkha10:20 AMMonday
16734OKHAOkha08:40 AMTuesdayRameswaram19:15 PMThursday

Traction

Both trains are hauled by a Diesel Loco Shed, Golden Rock-based WDM-3A between Rameswaram and Madurai Junction. After Madurai Junction, both trains are hauled by a Diesel Loco Shed, Erode-based WDP-4D up to Okha and vice versa.

References
  1. "Extension of Madurai-Manmad express to be flaged off on Feb 27". news.webindia123.com. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  2. Ayyappan, V (28 August 2014). "Southern Railway speeds up 31 trains". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  3. , South Central Railway, 8 July 2015


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